Ministers say Uri attack attempt to destabilise state

Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the killing of 17 soldiers in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri was "disturbing" and an attempt to destabilise the state.

"Loss of precious lives of Indian jawans (soldiers) is a disturbing moment for all of us. I shudder to think how the nation can ever repay their sacrifices. We need to put our heads together and devise a strategy," Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh told TimesNow news channel.

"Describing it as an 'act of cowardice' will not suffice, not countering it is also an act of cowardice," he said.

Singh hinted at Pakistan's hand in the attack and said "time has come to call this bluff and disrobe" those responsible.

"We have to vindicate the sacrifices of our soldiers... I'm sure the Ministry of Defence will take a call," he added.

He called upon all political parties to rise above their differences and respond to the call of the nation.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said the attack will not deter India from taking tough steps in the violence-hit state to restore normalcy.

"...this will not deter us from getting Jammu and Kashmir back to normalcy," she said.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh called the attack a "proxy war" unleashed by Pakistan.

"It is a proxy war. A country, that is Pakistan, is focusing on how to disturb Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Four heavily-armed militants attacked the army camp near Uri early on Sunday morning, killing 17 soldiers and wounding over 24 others. Security forces shot dead all four attackers involved.

--IANS

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